Average cost of plastering

Summary: How much does a plasterer cost, average cost to plaster a wall and average cost to plaster a room.

Plastering a room means providing a smooth, flat finish to the walls and ceiling which will then be painted or wallpapered over. Plaster is fire proof and provides a degree of heat and sound insulation. Most people will tell you that plastering is really a job for a professional, probably more so than most other tasks undertaken in a home. You might be renovating a property or perhaps you have altered the layout of a home to make two rooms out of one and consequently will need the walls plastered.

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Factors to consider

The final coat on a wall is known as the skim and this needs to be right or the whole thing will look dreadful. Plastering requires a lot of practice but if you are determined to do the job yourself then have a go on a room that is basically out of sight such as an outdoor toilet or attic room.

However you may surprise yourself and take to plastering immediately in which case you can attempt the job yourself. Doing it this way will mean saving a large amount of money as plastering can prove surprisingly expensive if done by someone else. For the DIYer the tools required will cost in the region of £50 and the sense of achievement will be incredible.

If you are determined that this is the route for you then it might be worth checking out your local college to see if there are any courses in plastering in your area. If you are lucky enough to find courses, they will probably be over a couple of days. It is almost certain that the investment will prove worthwhile if you intend doing a lot of plastering or property renovation. If you search the internet you will also find books on the subject.

The traditional method for plastering is wet plastering where plaster is applied thickly to a whole wall. The other method is dry lining. This is where plasterboard is used and a plaster skim placed over the top. The plasterboard method is easier for the amateur and it can be obtained from good DIY stores. It is easily cut with a saw or knife but can fracture if dropped.

There are plenty of reasons as to why you might need a room plastered. If you are renovating you will need scruffy or even new walls plastered. Plastering can be a messy job however professional the person doing it may be. Ideally a room needs to be free of carpets and furniture but if this is not possible then everything needs to be covered in dust sheets. A room needs to be well ventilated and there needs to be access to water in order to mix materials.

Dry lining is where plasterboard is used and a plaster skim placed over the top.

There are plenty of reasons as to why you might need a room plastered. If you are renovating you will need scruffy or even new walls plastered.

Costs to consider

A skilled plasterer might charge between £200 and £250 per day depending on the area of the country in which he or she is working as well as the simplicity or complexity of the job. London rates are normally the highest. In a day, a plasterer could probably do one average sized room. So plastering is not cheap but the end result can be amazing and can completely transform the look of a room.

Plaster needs several days to fully dry out. You will need to leave windows open to let fresh air in. You can tell when plaster is dry as it will turn pale compared to the dark look it has when wet. Only when it is fully dry can you consider painting the wall and then you need to bear in mind that the plaster will be extremely porous. You will need to put on a base layer of paint which will soak right in before you can contemplate the top coat.

In addition to simply plastering a room with flat walls and ceilings there are many plastering techniques that, when applied with skill, can look superb. Corners can be rounded off and different effects can be applied to a wall. Attempting this requires a fair degree of confidence and competence.

A professional finish to a plastering job can add value to a home. The difference between an amateur and professional finish can be quite remarkable. This is one area of home improvement where near perfection is desirable. Of course if you intend using wallpaper over plaster then may help in covering up any defects in the plaster. But for a paint finish then every small mark will show. It is advisable to use a plasterer who has been recommended to you and whose work you have seen.